Borough of Norwood, NJ Certificates of Continued Occupancy

Any change in use, ownership, or occupancy of an existing building or structure shall require approval of a certificate of continued occupancy by the Construction Code Official.

Upon receipt of an application for approval of a certificate of occupancy, the Construction Code Official shall determine whether the use is in compliance with the Borough's Zoning Ordinance and the provisions of the Municipal Land Use Law, and whether any proposed use is of a nature, extent, and intensity that is so similar to the previous use to not constitute a change in use. The Construction Code Official may either issue a certificate of continued occupancy or refer the matter to the Planning Board or Zoning Board. In either event, the applicant for a certificate of continued occupancy shall pay any fee established for this purpose.

The applicant for a structure other than a one- or two-family residence shall be required to submit with the application a sketch plat indicating the location and layout of all existing structures, lot configuration, general parking and loading areas, lighting, drainage, landscaping, and other general site factors. In lieu of a sketch plat, the applicant may refer to prior site plans for the premises filed with the approving authority with appropriate notations indicating any changes made on the premises since the earlier site plan approval.

If the Construction Code Official determines that any proposed change in the nature, extent, or intensity of any use does not require additional improvements or approvals, then the Construction Code Official may approve the application or conditionally approve the application.

If the Construction Code Official determines that improvements are required or that the nature, extent, or intensity of the use should be reviewed, he or she shall deny the application and require submission of the application to the Planning Board or Zoning Board of a partial or complete site plan application or other appropriate development application as provided by this chapter.

No certificate of continued occupancy may be issued as to a residential building or any portion thereof unless approved smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors have been installed as required by applicable state statute and local ordinances.